An Indian worker photographed from an offshore oil rig situated 25 km off the Dohar seashore. Large number of Indians work in the multibillion oil and gas business of various Gulf countries. Cut off from the civilized world for more than six months period, these human beings are earning hard currency for the country. Recent reports about US plans to invade Iraq for flimsy reasons has sent shockwaves across the oil and gas sector, especially among the workers who are employed in offshore rigs, oil platforms and tankers located in the middle of the Arabian sea. Thans to the war hysteria generated by the US administration and the recent alerts which indicated a possible terrorist attack on Oil Taners in the Middle Eastern waters, many workers in the offshore rigs like the one pictured here are quite concerned about the possible implications for their safety. Full Report

Introducing a Gulf Malayali who makes a living by selling friend groundnut (kappalandi in Malayalam). He was brought to the Gulf promising a lucrative job. Innocent victims like Aboobeker give a huge amount --upto Rs. 75,000 to buy a free visa without any guarantee that they will get a job when they land in an alien country. However, some of them don't give up and manage to earn for a living by doing mundane jobs. There are any number of rags to riches stories but in recent times the trend is different. With growing unemployment in the Gulf countries, it is no more easy to make it big in business or service sectors. Some Keralites do make big bucks through different dubious means, but for the majority of ordinary Non Resident Keralites like Aboobaker life is miserable. Support him when you see him next time in the busy streets --Buy one packet of groundnut for 50 bizas and he will make a few Rials!

This is Alagappan from Tamil Nadu, who is trying to get a shadow in the severe heat of the Arabian dessert. He is in the Gulf only for four months and earns an amount equivalent to four thousand Indian Rupees. He also paid Rs. 75,000 for buying a visa to get a job in a leading cleaning company owned by a prominent Arab Official. There is no question of minimum wages as per the international standards. With several hours normal duty and overtime, he will be able to recover six to seven thousand Indian Rupees per month and save part of it because food and accommodation are provided by the company. Part of his salary goes for getting Air condition, food and accommodation. After working for two long years only Alagappan can make the money that he paid just to get the visa for this "lucrative" job. There is no guarantee that he will complete two years because companies can fire staff on short notice without giving any reason. But the unemployment problem in India force many people to buy visa and reach the Gulf.

Arab Arbab --The situation is not that rosy for the local people too. Pictured here is an ordinary Arab who is trying to make a living by selling vegetables and fruits. Two young Omani boys in the picture shows the new demographic structure of Arab countries where more than 50 per cent of the population constitute youths and children. Hundreds of not so educated Arab youths have to be accommodated in various jobs, which are done by Indians and other expatriates in the Gulf region. Finding job and business opportunities for the local population is an essential part of the development process in countries like Saudi Arabia, Oman, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait Socio-political stability in these countries demands employment opportunities for the new generation. This is an unpleasant truth which many Keralites have started realising.

GULF SPOT LIGHT

An Extra Ordinary Arab man 's picture captured by KM photographer from a busy City in the Arabian peninsula. If you have any interesting pictures showing the life of Keralites/Indian expatriates living in six Gulf countries or any other country where Indians are living, please send a copy to the editor@keralamonitor.com We will publish the name and photograph of people who send such interesting photographs.

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